Cotopaxi reviews

3.1

44% would recommend to a friend

(136 total reviews)

Lindsay Shumlas

46% approve of CEO

44% positive business outlook

Cotopaxi has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 136 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Cotopaxi employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

136 reviews
4.0
Mar 11, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Cotopaxi has had some significant corporate restructuring throughout the last few years and because of that, everyone seems to be not on the same page. But the CX team was always top to bottom the best. The culture there was always supreme to any other team I had been on, and it was truly a joy. -You operate independently and have consistent access to/ contact with management -So much flexibility with time off, even if the team is stretched thin -Management puts YOU first, every time. Will back you up to upper management every week during meetings -Coworkers genuinely care about you and your well being, and want you to succeed in and outside of work. Truly feels like a family. -You get what you put into it. -Unlike most CX teams, they are not so metric heavy on performance reports, they approach CX better than any other company I know. -Work from home option with very nice Macbook is a huge plus. Very cushy job, to be honest. Makes up for pay/lack of career advancement.

Cons

Great place to be, but obviously still had cons: -Management at the highest level swapped so often that there was not a lot of consistency with how things were done and such, just got pretty draining. -Other teams in the customer pipeline (ie in person retail, marketing, ops, etc...) just kind of throw things on you or make large changes to SOPs without telling you. -Pay is hardly ever bumped, even with increased costs of living. Experience does not really help, either. -Not a ton of room for advancement, but it is great for a college job where you need flexibility, or if you need to be at home. -There is a decreasing budget for anything and everything. No new hires, no Christmas, just the name of the game with the times, though. -Sometimes too accomodating; I know that my managers liked me and valued me a lot, but I think that sometimes for the sake of relationships, hard talks about effort were avoided or cushioned, haha. -**may be a pro for the companies target audience, but they are a very progressive company. It never really bleeds into what you do, but it does get brought up a lot.

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Cotopaxi Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so glad to hear that you had such a positive experience on the CX team and that you found the culture, flexibility, and leadership support to be highlights of your time at Cotopaxi. It means a lot to know that the team felt like a family and that you valued the approach we take to customer experience. We also appreciate your candid feedback on areas where we can improve. We recognize that organizational changes and cross-team communication have been challenges, and we’re actively working to bring more alignment and consistency across the company. Additionally, career growth and compensation are important topics, and we’re always looking for ways to better support our employees in these areas. Your advice on having the hard conversations is well taken. We want to ensure that every team member feels both supported and challenged to grow, and we appreciate your perspective on how we can continue to foster that balance. Thank you again for your contributions to Cotopaxi and for sharing your insights. Wishing you all the best in your next adventure!
4.0
Mar 7, 2025

Renewed Focus on People & Culture

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

While the past year has been difficult for the entire outdoor industry, Cotopaxi has been actively working to rebuild trust, improve transparency, and foster a more supportive workplace culture, in what has been a complex macro environment. Commitment to Culture & Inclusion: There's been a noticeable shift toward prioritizing employees, with more open communication, active listening from leadership, and investment in professional growth. Transparency & Engagement: Regular "Allamas" meetings and candid discussions with leadership make it clear that employee voices matter. Decisions feel more intentional, and feedback is being acted upon. Investment in People: From leadership development programs to DEIBA-focused initiatives, Cotopaxi is genuinely working to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Exciting Brand Evolution: The company is evolving in a way that stays true to its mission while setting the foundation for long-term success.

Cons

Change takes time, and while there’s progress, there’s still work to be done. However, it’s encouraging to see leadership acknowledge this and take real action.

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Cotopaxi Response
1y
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re grateful for your perspective and appreciate you recognizing the efforts we’ve made to prioritize our people, enhance transparency, and foster a more supportive culture—especially during a challenging time for the industry. We know that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight, and while there’s still work to do, we’re committed to continuous improvement. It’s encouraging to hear that initiatives like leadership development programs, DEIBA efforts, and our “Allamas” meetings are making a positive impact. We truly value our team and are excited about the future of Cotopaxi. Your feedback helps us continue evolving while staying true to our mission. Thanks for being part of the journey! 🚀
1.0
Mar 4, 2025

Not who they say they are

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Talented and hardworking colleagues who genuinely care about their work. - Great, responsibly made (for now) product.

Cons

Relentless Cost-Cutting: leadership appears to prioritize short-term profits over long-term stability, slashing budgets, laying off experienced employees, and outsourcing critical functions. Toxic Executive Leadership: The C-suite is a revolving door of outsiders brought in to execute cost-cutting without delivering any strategies for growth. They have little understanding of the industry, no loyalty to employees, and zero interest in long-term success. Dissenting voices are berated or silenced, and employees are expected to work harder with fewer resources. Culture of Fear and Mistrust: Employees are constantly in survival mode, fearing the next round of layoffs or a surprise restructuring. Transparency is nonexistent—decisions are made behind closed doors, and vague, buzzword-filled town halls offer no real answers. No Investment in Growth: Instead of innovating or supporting teams, leadership focuses on financial engineering—cutting costs and liquidating inventory. High Turnover & Burnout: Talented employees are leaving in droves, and those who stay are overloaded and undervalued. Uncertain Future: Without a long-term strategy or vision in place to re-set the business it's unclear where this company will go. For a company whose values statement claims to "Put people first", currently the employee experience couldn't be more incompatible with that statement. Instead it's just another cool outdoor brand being pillaged by private equity.

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Cotopaxi Response
1y
Thank you for sharing your perspective. We understand that change and uncertainty can create frustration, and we take this feedback seriously. Our goal has always been to build a company that puts people first, and while we acknowledge that recent challenges have been difficult, we remain committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. The outdoor industry as a whole has faced significant headwinds, and we’ve had to make tough decisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission and brand. That said, we recognize that transparency and trust are critical, and we are actively working to improve communication, strengthen our culture, and create opportunities for growth within our teams. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our employees and are committed to learning and evolving. If you have further thoughts, we encourage open dialogue, as we truly want to create a better experience for our team. Thank you for your honesty, and we hope to regain your trust as we move forward.
Viewing 31 - 33 of 136 Reviews

Glassdoor has 150 Cotopaxi reviews submitted anonymously by Cotopaxi employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Cotopaxi is right for you.